ABOUT THE UNLOCK BOOK FAIR

Graffiti publishers put out outstanding books and zines, yet online purchase is often the only option for interested readers. Checking books first is not possible, and acquiring multiple books often involves more than one shipping.

The Unlock Book Fair gives visitors the exceptional opportunity to touch, leaf through and directly purchase the books of many independent graffiti publishers, all in one place.

Graffiti leads to particular readings of the city, and to other fascinating subcultural activities.

At the Unlock Book Fair we support the way graffiti publishers have naturally incorporated into their work topics such as trainhopping or urbex, often unnoticed as close relatives to graffiti writing.

Unlock aims at making the fair a comfortable space for everyone. We offer complimentary lunch for publishers and a place to hang out and socialise after the fair.

Our programme has hosted the launch of milestone books and rare zines, talks by world-leading artists and specialists, screenings of long-lost films, exhilarating and hilarious readings, and even graffiti-inspired dance acts.

The Unlock Book Fair is produced by Unlock Bureau, the cultural agency behind the Tag Conference and the Art & Place Conference, two unique events laying the groundwork in the field of graffiti and street art studies.

Host the Unlock Book Fair in your city and give your local audience access to the fair’s unique wealth of cutting-edge graffiti publications and to its outstanding graffiti-related public programme.

The Unlock Book Fair is always a highlight for local cultural scenes. It draws an international crowd of cultural tourists to the city and transforms it for a weekend into the epicentre of the graffiti world.

Produced by Unlock Bureau, information and contact here.

Key pioneer of Spanish subway graffiti and early proponent of anti-style. Abarca is the go-to graffiti scholar in Spanish language and a world-leading specialist respected in underground and institutional settings. Editor of rare graffiti books.

Notorious NYC street bomber and a force of nature. Dumar lived in Berlin for years, where he became a pivotal player in graffiti studies. He is author of insightful texts about graffiti, and our resident host.

Influential pioneer of Greek graffiti, architect and professional scholar, and editor of sought-after graffiti magazines and books.

➔ The local crews

Unlock thanks the international players who shared our vision and helped it grow, in particular Xavier Ballaz, Akim, Pedro Soares, David Demougeot, Robert Kaltenhäuser, Jasper van Es, Georg Barringhaus, Pietro Rivasi, Hugo Engwerda, Mirko Reisser, and Frank Krämer.

We also thank the graffiti enthusiasts who have been part of the Unlock working team in different cities, among them Alexandra Sol, Xavier Basiana, Enrique Escandell, Ana Manaia, Rocco Berger, Jaume Gómez, Gabriel Calvín, Quentin Coussirat, Robin Vermeulen, Ben Brohanszky, Margrit Miebach, Johannes Griebel and Nele Schröder-Griebel.

➔ Special thank-you

Carlo McCormick, Susan Phillips, Bill Daniel, Hitzerot.